Chicken Fried

The recording

On 'Chicken Fried', Zac Brown laid down the rhythm part on a 1975 Martin D‑28 acoustic, recorded with a Neumann U87 in the control room. The electric lead was captured using a 1978 Fender Telecaster plugged straight into a Fender Twin Reverb, with the amp’s clean channel set full‑volume and modest treble. Producer Keith Stegall and engineer mixed the acoustic and electric tracks to sit together, preserving the bright strumming while letting the Telecaster solo cut through. The track was recorded at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1975 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar

Guitar

Zac Brown recorded the rhythm acoustic part on a 1975 Martin D-28, giving the warm, open‑chord foundation of 'Chicken Fried'.

1978 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Zac Brown used a 1978 Fender Telecaster for the electric lead lines, delivering the bright, twangy tone heard on the solo and fills.

Fender Twin Reverb

Amp

The Telecaster was routed directly into a classic Fender Twin Reverb, providing the clean, sparkling tone that sits front‑and‑center in the mix.

Alternatives

Martin D-28 Reissue

Reissue · for the 1975 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar

$1,800 to $2,200

Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the Fender Twin Reverb

$1,200 to $1,500

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1978 Fender Telecaster

$600 to $750

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Pick the acoustic rhythm with a bright flatpick near the bridge for maximum attack.
2. 2.Set the Telecaster’s bridge pickup to full and roll the tone knob back slightly for a clean twang.
3. 3.Apply light compression to the electric part to even out dynamics and keep the solo smooth.
4. 4.Blend the acoustic and electric tracks, letting the acoustic sit just behind the lead in the mix.
5. 5.Use subtle palm‑muting on low‑string runs during the solo for added definition.